Whatever you think will be best, princess.
Hmm. I think dark brown, navy blue and cream will look good on you.
Okay, good. For a few seconds there I was afraid you were going to deck me out in purples.
This morning I dug way down to the bottom of the knitting basket I have not touched in two years and found the sweater I had started making for Jacob. I took the entire thing, hours of work and threw it into the pile to be taken to the garbage, needles and all.
Ben watched me thoughtfully.
Zero was going to get a sweater for Christmas?
Could you not call him that, please?
Sorry.
But are you?
No, Bridget, I'm still pissed at him. That's not going to change.
How can you hold a grudge against someone who is dead?
I don't know, Bridge. You tell me.
It's weird that you do it on my behalf. That's all. You know what's so dumb? I may not be the most domestically inclined person in the world but I try so hard, Ben. I wanted him to be warm.
So finish it.
What?
Finish knitting the sweater and we'll take it out to the bench. Jake will see it and then maybe someone will pick it up and be able to use it.
That's generous for someone still hung up on calling him Zero the Hero.
Yeah, well, I have my moments.
I don't think I'm going to finish it.
Okay. It's your call.
Good, then can I do something else with it?
Sure, whatever you want.
I want to give it to Jake's mom. She can finish it for his father.
He smiled and left the room. I kept up with my chore of reorganizing the sewing corner, sweeping out the corner, jamming the brace back into the leg of the chair I used to use for spinning. It always pops out when anyone heavier than Ruth sits on it. Before I really got anywhere, Ben reappeared in the doorway.
We're flying out to Newfoundland the morning of the nineteenth. Back on the twenty-second.
We?
The four of us.
Serious?
Yes?
Oh, wow.
Wow what?
I thought I would have to go alone.
You don't have to do anything alone, Bridget. That's what I'm here for.
He went out again and I was left sitting on the floor surrounded by spools of thread and possibly, maybe, just a few lucky stars.
God help me I've come undone
Out of the light of the sun
I can feel you falling away
No longer the lost
No longer the same
And I can see you starting to break
I'll keep you alive
If you show me the way